Three new Goose Creek City Council members took their oaths of office Tuesday, reshaping the leadership of the Berkeley County city as it grapples with rapid population growth and infrastructure demands.

Melissa Enos-Sims, Corey McClary and Gayla McSwain were sworn in during a ceremony at City Hall, joining a council that will face mounting pressure to address the city’s 40% population increase over the past decade.

The council also selected longtime member John Tekac as mayor pro tem, a position that places him second in command behind Mayor Greg Habib.

“We have significant challenges ahead as our city continues to grow,” Habib said after the ceremony. “These new council members bring fresh perspectives at a critical time.”

The new members replace three departing council members whose terms expired in December. Their arrival comes as Goose Creek, with nearly 50,000 residents, ranks among South Carolina’s fastest-growing cities.

Enos-Sims, a former school district administrator, campaigned on improving city services and managing development. McClary, a retired military officer, focused his campaign on infrastructure improvements and fiscal responsibility. McSwain, a small business owner, emphasized economic development and quality of life issues.

The council faces immediate decisions on a proposed $28 million bond referendum for road improvements and a controversial rezoning request that would add 300 homes near the Goose Creek Reservoir.

Tekac, who has served on council since 2014, replaces former mayor pro tem Sandra Williams, who chose not to seek reelection. His selection required a 5-2 vote, with two council members supporting newcomer David Mount instead.

“John’s institutional knowledge will be valuable as we work with three new members,” Habib said.

The leadership changes reflect broader shifts in Berkeley County Politics & Government, where rapid growth has strained municipal resources and sparked debates over development limits.

Goose Creek’s population surged from 35,938 in 2010 to 49,103 in 2020, according to Census data. City officials project the population could reach 60,000 by 2030 if current growth rates continue.

The expansion has brought new tax revenue but also increased demands for police, fire and public works services. The city’s general fund budget grew from $31 million in 2019 to $41 million in 2024.

Infrastructure improvements top the new council’s agenda. The proposed bond referendum would fund road widening projects on Goose Creek Boulevard and Red Bank Road, two arteries that carry heavy commuter traffic to Charleston and North Charleston.

Traffic counts show daily vehicle trips on Goose Creek Boulevard increased 23% between 2019 and 2023, while Red Bank Road saw a 19% increase over the same period.

The council must also address a backlog of stormwater projects. Heavy rains in September caused flooding in six neighborhoods, prompting residents to demand faster action on drainage improvements.

City Manager David Knapp said the new council will review a five-year capital improvement plan that includes $45 million in infrastructure projects. The plan calls for upgrading water treatment capacity, expanding fire stations and improving parks and recreation facilities.

“We’re at a crossroads,” Knapp said. “The decisions this council makes will determine whether we can manage growth effectively or struggle to keep up with demand.”

The new members bring diverse professional backgrounds to council deliberations. Enos-Sims spent 22 years with Berkeley County School District, including five years as a principal. McClary retired as a lieutenant colonel after 24 years in the Air Force. McSwain owns a marketing consultancy that works with local businesses.

Their campaigns focused heavily on controlling development costs while maintaining city services. All three opposed a proposed apartment complex on Old Moncks Corner Road that drew neighborhood opposition.

The council will hold its first working session with the new members January 28. The agenda includes reviewing the proposed bond referendum timeline and discussing the Goose Creek Reservoir rezoning request.

City officials expect to schedule a bond referendum vote for November if council approves the proposal by March. The bonds would be repaid through property taxes over 20 years, adding approximately $47 annually to the average homeowner’s tax bill.

The rezoning request involves 89 acres owned by Charleston-based developer Centex Homes. The company wants to change the land designation from rural residential to suburban residential, allowing higher density housing.

Neighborhood groups oppose the rezoning, arguing additional homes would worsen traffic congestion and strain the city’s water supply. A public hearing is scheduled for February 11.

Council meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 519 N. Goose Creek Boulevard. The next regular meeting is January 28.